Kokomo in Howard County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Apperson Jack Rabbit
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, January 29, 2023
1. Apperson Jack Rabbit Marker
Introduced in 1907, the Apperson Jack Rabbit featured a longer body wih a more powerful engine than most automobiles of its time. It sold for $5,000, and the company advertised a "guaranteed" top speed of 75 mph. The Jack Rabbit was one of the fastest, American-built automobiles of the early twentieth century. In 1911 the Apperson brothers entered a Jack Rabbit in the inaugural running of the Indianapolis 500.
By the 1920s the Appersons were producing luxury cars in an increasingly competitive market. At the same time, manufacturers in Detroit were mass-producing automobiles to meet a growing demand for less expensive cars. Sales for Apperson automobiles inevitably declined and by 1926 the company ceased production. But it wasn't the end of the line for the Jack Rabbit.
In 2015, Kokomo's new baseball team began playing at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. In honor of the Apperson Brothers' legacy and Kokomo's automotive heritage, the team was named the "Kokomo Jackrabbits."
Erected by Howard County Automotive
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 40° 29.057′ N, 86° 7.858′ W. Marker is in Kokomo, Indiana, in Howard County. Marker is on South Main Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is along the Walk of Excellence Trail in front of the 306 Riverfront District Apartments. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 South Main Street, Kokomo IN 46901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Howard County's Automotive Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Haynes International (approx. 0.2 miles away); Memorial To The Patriots of 1776 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Charters of Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Apperson Brothers (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Grand Army of the Republic (approx. 0.2 miles away); Howard County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kokomo High School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kokomo.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, January 29, 2023
2. Apperson Jack Rabbit Marker
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, January 29, 2023
3. Apperson Jack Rabbit Marker - other side, same text
McLean County Historical Society (courtesy of McLean County Museum of History), 2019
4. Apperson Jack Rabbit automobile, manufactured in Kokomo IN, 1910s
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 354 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. 4. submitted on February 4, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
